Latest news with #OregonDepartmentofFishandWildlife
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Golden mussels pose ‘serious' threat to Oregon waterways after West Coast discovery
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Golden mussels may sound cool, but they're actually a major threat to Oregon's waterways following their last year. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the mussels are an that can damage water infrastructure, such as irrigation and hydropower systems. As of May 2025, they have not been detected in Oregon waters. 'Historic heist': Pacific Northwest lawmakers react to passage of Trump policy bill However, their arrival to the West Coast comes as the state manages the arrival of other invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels. 'The threat to Oregon is very serious,' said Keith DeHart, the ODFW's invasive species coordinator. 'Golden mussels are similar to zebra or quagga mussels, but they can establish in a much wider range of temperatures and water salinity.' To prevent their spread, ODFW officials are implementing seasonal boat inspection stations along with crews on boat ramps who can help with decontamination. Watercraft can be motorized or non-motorized — including kayaks, canoes, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards. Tula-Tu named Grand Marshal of Grand Floral Parade Inspections can be made easier by cleaning and draining all watercraft before leaving any body of water. 'Clean, drain, and dry is the most effective way to prevent the spread of invasive species,' DeHart said. 'And having a clean and dry boat is also the fastest way to get through an inspection station.' Inspection Station Locations: Ashland – I-5 at the Ashland Port of Entry Brookings – Hwy. 101 at the Brookings weigh station Klamath Falls (new location 2025) – US-97 at the Midland Rest Area Ontario – I-84 at the Ontario Rest Area Umatilla – Hwy. 730 at the Umatilla Port of Entry For more information about invasive species, visit the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials raise alarm after fisherman captures hairy-clawed crab in major river: 'Significant infrastructure and ecological damage'
An unexpected catch in the Columbia River has Oregon wildlife officials on high alert — and for good reason. A commercial fisherman recently pulled in a Chinese mitten crab, a species banned in the Pacific Northwest due to its destructive history. This marks the first confirmed sighting of the invasive crustacean in the region — and it could spell trouble for the local ecosystem and the economy. On April 22, a fisherman caught a large male Chinese mitten crab in the Lower Columbia River and delivered it to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The crab is recognizable by its furry, mitten-like claws and a carapace with four spines on each side. Native to East Asia, the crabs likely arrived as larvae via ballast water from ships — or possibly through illegal human introduction. The discovery has raised concerns among state agencies about the potential for a repeat of past infestations. In the late 1990s, the species "caused significant infrastructure and ecological damage in and around San Francisco Bay when the population was at its height," according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. ODFW is asking the public to keep an eye out. If you spot a mitten crab, don't release it. Instead, snap photos, note the location, and report the sighting to the Oregon Invasive Species Council or the State Police TIPS Line. Chinese mitten crabs are more than just a curious sight — they're a major ecological threat. These burrowing crabs can destabilize riverbanks, clog irrigation systems, and compete with native species for food and habitat. Their presence could disrupt the delicate balance of the Columbia River's ecosystem, threatening fish populations and increasing maintenance costs for local infrastructure. If left unchecked, this single catch could signal the start of a wider infestation — one that's both expensive and hard to reverse. Agencies like ODFW and the Oregon Invasive Species Council are already mobilizing public awareness efforts and monitoring programs. The U.S. Geological Survey also tracks invasive species to aid in early detection and rapid response. On a national level, the federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act helps coordinate actions to manage and prevent the spread of aquatic invaders like the mitten crab. And individuals can make a difference too — by reporting sightings, avoiding the release of non-native species, and learning how ballast water and aquarium dumping contribute to the spread of invasive marine life. Because when it comes to keeping rivers healthy and thriving, every set of eyes helps. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
See it: Invasive species of crab spotted for first time in Pacific Northwest
NEWPORT, Ore. – An invasive species of crab, native to East Asia, has been spotted for the first time in the Pacific Northwest, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency reported that an alert fisherman discovered a Chinese mitten crab along the Columbia River, which forms the border between Washington and Oregon. Biologists warn that this crustacean, typically found in freshwater habitats near saltwater environments, poses a threat to native species. Dungeness Crab Die-off Underway Along Us West Coast Chinese mitten crabs are known for their distinctive hairy, mitten-like claws and a notch between their eyes, although they are often misidentified as native species. Using their claws, the crabs are known to feed on a wide range of organisms, including fish eggs, small invertebrates and aquatic plants. Wildlife experts are particularly concerned about the crab's potential impact on the region's critical salmon population. Additionally, large groups of crabs can damage aquatic infrastructure such as levees, dams and bulkheads. The ODFW stated that it is unclear how the crab arrived in the Columbia River, but it may have been introduced by humans or inadvertently transported by a passing ship. A similar discovery occurred in 1997, when what was believed to be a Japanese mitten crab was found in the region, but the discovery did not lead to the establishment of a local population. Despite Weather Challenges, Value Of Maine Lobsters Jumps By $46 Million The recent sighting is not the first sighting of the Chinese mitten crab in the Lower 48. The species was first reported in San Francisco Bay in 1992 and has since been found in the Gulf Coast, Great Lakes and along the East Coast. The ODFW said it is working closely with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and NOAA to determine whether additional Chinese mitten crabs are present in the river, but, so far, has found no evidence of a large-scale invasion. The agency encourages anyone who spots the crab along the Columbia River or nearby waterways to report the sighting to the Oregon Invasive Species article source: See it: Invasive species of crab spotted for first time in Pacific Northwest
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Very sad time': Oregon Zoo mourns death of Tilly, the river otter mom and '30 Rock' guest star
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The Oregon Zoo is mourning the death of Tilly, the river otter who started out as a rescued orphan pup and went on to become a mother herself and had brushes with fame along the way. 'This is a very sad time, especially for Tilly's care staff,' said Jen Osburn Eliot with the Oregon Zoo, in a statement. 'Some of our keepers were here the day she first arrived in 2009 as a tiny pup. She overcame adversity just to survive, and she helped other otters do the same.' Parents to PPS: 'You're in pickle' over budget cuts Tilly was found wounded by an animal attack and malnourished near Johnson Creek. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife facilitated her transfer to the Oregon Zoo, where she would later raise pups of her own and adopt other orphans. One of Tilly's earliest tastes of fame came in 2012 when her photo was used in an . In the world of the NBC sitcom, the otter was famous for her resemblance to Tracy Morgan's character, Tracy Jordan. Tilly proved to be such an extraordinary mother that her parenting skills alone also commanded the world's attention. Back in 2013, with her first pup, Molalla, or Mo for short. Mo's rough-and-tumble antics gained over a million views on the zoo's YouTube channel. That same year, the zoo gave Tilly the 'Mom of the Year' award. Tilly's other pups included Ziggy, Tucker and Nellie. She was also an adoptive mom for other orphans, including Little Pudding, . 'Young river otters are extremely dependent on their mothers, and Tilly not only raised her own offspring but three other young pups who had lost their moms and needed a second chance,' Osburn Eliot said. Portland expects 'couple thousand' May Day protesters Tilly was 'humanely euthanized' on Wednesday due to declining health and advanced age, the Oregon Zoo said. At 16, she was considered geriatric, with the average age for her species being 12.9 years for river otters that live in AZA-accredited zoos. Despite once being threatened due to fur trapping, river otters can today be found abundantly in healthy river systems in the Pacific Northwest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Furry' invasive crab caught along Oregon Coast
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Officials are asking those in the Pacific Northwest to keep a lookout after a highly invasive species of crab with a noteworthy feature was spotted on the Oregon Coast. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, a commercial fisherman caught what officials identified as a Chinese mitten crab last week in the Lower Columbia River, east of Tongue Point. Named for their distinctive furry claws, mitten crabs can vary in color from a brownish-orange to a greenish-brown, according to ODFW. They add the fisherman 'did the right thing' by bringing it in to ODFW since they are not only invasive, but prohibited in Oregon. 'Mitten crabs caused significant infrastructure and ecological damage in and around San Francisco Bay when the population was at its height in the late 1990s,' an ODFW spokesperson said. Chinese mitten crabs have also been reported in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, the Delaware Bay, New York's Hudson River, along the Gulf Coast, and within the Great Lakes. The crabs, native to China and South Korea, live in freshwater but reproduce in saltwater, according to California wildlife officials. Officials said the crab found in the Columbia River was a large male that could have been introduced illegally into the river by a person or by ballast water from a ship, which sometimes carries aquatic organisms to new locations. Catch this land-walking fish? Don't toss it back – do this instead ODFW adds that this is a notable first, as Chinese mitten crabs have not been seen in the Pacific Northwest until now. However, a single Japanese mitten crab was found in the same area in 1997. Given this, officials are encouraging river-goers to keep an eye out for mitten crabs and report any found to ODFW along with photos and location. Area residents and visitors can also report a sighting online to the Oregon Invasive Species Council. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
